The 2015 Vulcanus Rex has resigned, citing personal reasons, according to the chair of the 2015 Vulcan Krewe Advisory.

Steven Fischer, 51, was chosen last fall after being interviewed by a group of former Vulcanus Rexes.

Vulcanus Rex leads the Vulcan Krewe, the group at the heart of St. Paul Winter Carnival lore.

Each year, Rex returns with his seven men to boot out the pompous winter king, Boreas, and hasten the coming of spring.

The appointment was a dream come true for Fischer, who lasted four short months in the role. He resigned the last week of May.

His desire to be a Vulcan started when he was 8 years old, he told the Pioneer Press in January.

The St. Paul native grew up on West Seventh Street, across from the old Schmidt Brewery. He is a longtime coach and referee for high school and college sports.

“It’s sad for him to have to leave this, but he had some things with his family he had to deal with,” said former Vulcanus Rex LX, Jacques Peulen, who chairs the 2015 Vulcan Krewe Advisory. “And we’re sad to lose him, too.”

Peulen expects some people to recall previous scandals, but he said Fischer’s resignation is merely personal, not scandalous. Fischer could not be reached for comment Thursday.

In 2005, Rex Thomas C. Trudeau pleaded guilty to inappropriately touching three women while placing garters on them during a Vulcan ritual at Alary’s Bar in downtown St. Paul.

The incident prompted a review by the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation to bring Vulcan traditions in line “with contemporary community standards.”

Since then, the Vulcans have worked on toning down their act and reaching out to more charities and neighborhoods.

The Vulcans will continue to make appearances at schools and nursing homes and do other charity work throughout the year. A few former Rexes, including Peulen, will fill Fischer’s spot.

Fans of the red-caped men and their vintage firetruck can expect to see them out in full force Sunday for Grand Old Day in St. Paul.

Katie Kather can be reached at 651-228-5006. Follow her at twitter.com/ktkather.

Copyright 2015 Pioneer Press.